James Krause had a clean performance at UFC Fight Island 6, defeating Claudio Silva with a slew of counter punches.
After taking a fight on one day’s notice earlier this year, James Krause took another short notice fight against Claudio Silva at UFC Fight Island 6. That first short notice fight ended a six-fight win streak for Krause (there was a loss on The Ultimate Fighter in between), but it did earn him a Fight of the Night bonus.
Claudio Silva is undefeated in five UFC appearances, however, he had a layoff of nearly four years in that time. Since he came back in 2018, he has submitted all three opponents. He also defeated top contender Leon Edwards in 2014.
Silva began the fight with a body kick and a leg kick, then Krause darted in with a combination that came up short. Krause was defending well, staying out of Silva’s range. Silva slipped then Krause landed a shot to the body that stung Silva followed by a pair of downward right hands that clocked Silva. Krause landed again and Silva bullrushed for a takedown, taking the back of Krause. Krause worked his way up then was caught by a lunging right hand at the end of a combination. Silva came in again, but a counter-right hand was there to meet him. Silva shot for a takedown that was defended well by Krause and both fighters landed hooks at the same time. Another right straight wobbled Silva and the Brazilian shot for a desperation takedown at the end of the round.
The counter-right of Krause was the most significant strike of the fight and he continued to land it in the second. Silva dove in for a takedown and it was again defended by Krause. They fell into a bit of a rhythm, with Krause landing counters on Silva’s lunging straight punches. A trip for Krause brought Silva to the ground briefly as he continued to land crisp counters on the feet.
Silva landed a straight left to start the final round, then another that buckled Krause, who was battling a knee injury in the fight. A leg kick came through for Silva and Krause was wobbled again. Krause’s counters were still extremely accurate in round three, even with the damage adding up. Silva continued to lunge at Krause, who was winning the striking exchanges with ease. Another leg kick buckled Krause and the round came to an end after Krause caught a kick.
James Krause def. Claudio Silva by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
